Landscaping Rules in Washington County, MD (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Washington County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Washington County's Subdivision Ordinance regulates tree removal tied to land development outside incorporated towns. The Planning Commission reviews proposed subdivisions for tree cutting and can limit which trees come down, and cutting over 40,000 square feet of forest during site development triggers a required Forest Stand Delineation and Forest Conservation Plan.
Tree Cutting Rules, Washington County, MD
Some RestrictionsWashington County, MD Subdivision Ordinance §§ 406, 408
406. TREE CUTTING The Commission shall review proposed subdivision with respect to the cutting of trees and may impose limitations on the number, location, and distribution of trees proposed for removal... 408. TREE CUTTING GUIDELINES Cutting or disturbance during site development of over 40,000 square feet of forest shall be done in accordance with an approved Forest Stand Delineation and fore...
Weed Ordinances
Washington County, Maryland requires owners of improved land along county roads to cut and remove briars, undergrowth, bushes, and weeds by June 15 each year. If an owner fails to comply, the county does the work and bills the owner for the cost.
Cut Roadside Weeds by June 15, MD
Some RestrictionsWashington County, MD Code of Public Local Laws § 7-405
All persons who own improved lands along or adjacent to any of the improved public highways or roads of Washington County shall cut down and remove from and along such roads and highways all briars, undergrowth, bushes, and weeds on or before June 15 in each year. Upon the failure of any land owner to comply with the provisions of this section, the County Commissioners, at the expense of the co...
Rainwater Harvesting
Washington County lists rainwater harvesting as an approved environmental site design (ESD) stormwater treatment practice for new development. Developers may use cisterns and storage tanks to meet county runoff-reduction requirements instead of building a pond or larger structural facility.
Rainwater Harvesting, Washington County, MD
Light RestrictionsWashington County, MD Stormwater Management, Grading, Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance § 3.6.1.A.b
b. The following ESD treatment practices shall be designed according to the Design Manual and the latest adopted version of the Washington County Standards and Specifications for Public Works Construction to satisfy the applicable minimum control requirements established in Section 3.5. and Section 3.6.2. of this Article: (a) Disconnection of rooftop runoff; (b) Disconnection of non-rooftop run...
All Washington County ordinances
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